MLB

Ike’s homer helps Mets top Cardinals

ST. LOUIS — Ike Davis is emerging as a pitcher’s best friend — particularly R.A. Dickey’s.

The Mets first baseman homered yesterday in a second straight Dickey start, sparking a 6-2 victory over the Cardinals at Busch Stadium.

Davis’ three-run blast against Adam Wainwright in the fifth gave Dickey a 5-1 cushion in securing his 18th victory this season. On Friday in Miami, Davis drove in all three of the Mets’ runs — two with a homer — to get Dickey the win.

“Right now R.A. has a chance to do something special, and you really want to get behind and help a guy like that,” Davis said. “But it’s not like we play favoritism: ‘[Jon] Niese is pitching today, we’re not going to score any runs because we have got to save it for R.A.’ ”

Davis’ homer yesterday was his 26th this season, keeping him within striking distance of 30.

BOX SCORE

“It’s not a shock, because I thought when we left spring training he and Lucas [Duda] had a chance to hit 30-40 homers [each],” manager Terry Collins said. “I knew we changed our park, but I just thought there’s enough mistakes being made and if they are having a good year, they can do damage. [Davis has had] a tremendous second half, and he’s certainly made the decision to hang on to him here the right decision.”

* Collins said Ruben Tejada appears drained. The shortstop finished 0-for-4 with four strikeouts and committed an error on Lance Berkman’s grounder in the second inning.

“I’ve been trying to get him some days off,” Collins said. “It might behoove me to give him a couple as we head into the last few weeks here.”

Tejada is batting .207 (19-for-92) over his last 24 games.

* David Wright was absent from the starting lineup to receive an extra day of rest heading into today’s off day.

“He’s been a warrior,” Collins said. “He’s had a great year. I thought give him a couple of days because we don’t have many anymore.”

* If Dillon Gee reports to spring training healthy, Collins said the right-hander will be a lock for next year’s starting rotation. Gee, who underwent surgery in July to repair an artery in his right shoulder, has been playing catch, but won’t pitch again this year.

“There is no reason why Dillon Gee should have to fight for a spot,” Collins said. “He’s pitched way too well here.”